Fur stretching machine



Oct. 24, 1933. H. 1 wElGAND Er AL 1,932,167

FUR STRETCHING FRAME Filed Jan. '7, 1931 Heh/yd Wigand Paul VScheeZz 351# WAM/1e,

A dtl'ozuegd,

Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT iOFFICE y 1,932,167 FUR STRETCHING MACHINE Henry J. Weigand, Canton, and Paul V. Scheetz, L

Massillon,` Ohio Application Januaryt, i931. serial No. 507,1?,6

12 Claims. (C1. 149-21) Y The invention relates to frames for stretching fur, and more particularly to a frame especially designed'for stretching the skins of fox, mink and other small animals for use as fur scarfs.

Such skins are whole except for an opening adjacent to the backlegs, and the skin of the back legs is usually slit longitudinally. The ordinary method of stretching these skins is to first soak the skin in Water until it is sufficiently soft and pliableafterv which a block of cork or the like is inserted into the nose and the skin is placed over a board andstretched thereon by hand.

Such practice does not permit of stretching the skin either longitudinally or transversely to the maximum; provides no means of stretching the neck transversely; usually stretches the skin at each side to such an extent that the fur is too thin at vthese points where `the :finished scarf kgets the greatest wear; and further, no means is provided for stretching the back legs. g

The object of the present improvement is to provide a fur stretching frame which will overcomethe objections and difficulties encountered under present practice by providing means'for` stretching -skins to the maximum extent both longitudinallyv and transversely, aswell as for stretching the neck portion and back legs of the skin.

Another vobject is to provide means for so stretching the skin that the fur willremain the thickest along each side of the skin, thus not only enhancing the appearance of the finished scarf but providing for the heaviest fur at the Vpoints Where the scarf. receives the greatest wear.

The above and other objects whichjwillbe obvious from an inspection of the drawing, or which will be pointed out inthe following detail description of the invention, may be attained by 40 forming the improved stretching frame o f a pair` of spaced, parallel frame members,y each being substantially square in cross section `and a portion or a head block being carried upon one end of each frame member, means being provided for separating the frame members and maintaining their parallel relation to each other.'

A pair of oppositely tapered neck stretching blocks is slidably mounted upon the frame members and arranged to be moved longitudinally 50 thereon to any desired or necessary position.

There is also a pair of leg stretching blocks slidably mounted upon .the frame members for stretching the back legs, and arranged to be moved to the desiredvposition thereon to stretch the iur longitudinally, means being provided for locking the leg blocks in any adjusted position with relation to the frame members.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Which Figure 1 is a planr view of the improved fur stretching frame; l

Fig. 2, an edge elevation of the same;

Fig. 3, an end view of the frame showing thev rear end thereof;

Fig. 4, a similar View of the head end of the frame;

Fig. 5, a transverse section on an enlarged' scale, taken as on the line 5 5, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6, a similar section on the line-, Fig. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing. v

The improved fur stretching frame includes a pair of parallel frame members 10 of any-suit-` able length, depending upon the kind of animalskin to be stretched. Each of these frame mem-- bers is preferably` formed of wood and is subf stantially square or rectangular in cross section.

An adjusting rod 11 is located between these parallel frame members, being Aconnected to the frame members at intervals by the pairs of toggle links 12. The rear end portion of this rod is" screw threaded as at 13, and is located through a suitable opening in the channel-shaped guide plate 14, formed of sheet metal, or the like, and arranged to receive the rear ends of the Yframe members 10, a nut 14a being located upon'the threaded end of the rod. l

'Ihe front or head end of each frame member 10 is provided with a head block 15, which may be formedof wood, sheet metal or other suitable material, and which is so shaped as to properly@ form the back portion of the head of the ,skin and prevent the same from being depressed or caved-in when stretched. y

In order to prevent a hollow or reduced apkpearance in the neck portion ofthe skin, and to properly stretch the same vto the vdesiredwidthy apair of oppositely tapered, orY curved, neckv blocks 16 is slidably mounted upon the framer members. `100 For the purpose of permitting thesevneck blocks `to move transversely withthe frame members 10, sheet metal plates 1'7 are iixed to opposite sides lof one neck block, as by tacks 18, and slid-v ably mounted in the channel edge portions of.105` similar plates 19, attached tothe other neck block as by the tacks 20. v

The plates 17 may be provided with the angular tongues 21 adapted to engage the inner edge of the corresponding frame member 10, so U0 through a longitudinal groove 22a in one of the frame members, to the rear end of the frame, having the. angular endzportion 23 by means of which the: neck blocks may be manually adjusted after the skin has been placed over the frame.

A pair of leg blocks 24 is slidably mounted upon the frame members, each block .having its forward end tapered as at 25 to permit the-open rear end portion of the skinA tobe pulled thereover.

The side edges of the leg blocks are preferably rounded as shown at 26, and the'hind legs of the skin are arranged to be stretched over the same. For the purpose of stretching the legs over these blocks-,fy a series of pins 27; is mounted in the. upper side of each leg block, and a similar row ofpmsfzla is mounted in the-under side of each block. 1 Y

Eachof the leg blocks vis slidably mounted upon the frame members by means of plates 27S and 29 similar toxtheplates 1'7v and l9upon. the neck blocks.'4 In orderV tohold the leg blocks in adjusted position upon the frame members, keach frarne'memberA isprovidediwith a series of apertures 30, and a similar aperture 3l is provided in eaohfleg, block, for the-reception'ofl a double hook or staple 32. A

InfoperatingA the frame toy stretch a fur, the

skin .is.iirst'soakedsuntil -it isin proper condition for stretching. A block of cork, or the like, is then; placed l in the` nose portion,y of the skin and the-headlend of the'frame isinserted1into the openfrear end-of the skin,4 the head blocks 1,5

'being placedrincontact with the vnose block.

The hindilegs are stretchedover theleg blocks andipinned-theretoby the pins, 27 and 27a, and theseflegA blocks` are pulled; rearward Aupon the frame. memberslto stretch the entire skinlongi-V tudinally. Whenv the. legblocks are moved tothedesired position, the double hooks or staples32 are-inserted into. theproper apertures 30 and.

31f,l holding the. leg. blocks in this. position.

Theneckblocks 1,6 maybe longitudinally adjusted.7 to. the` desired position by means of. the.

rodlorzwirel 22 the angularx end 23 thereofbeing accessible for manual operation. aftervthe skin hasbeen placed over the. frame..

Transverse stretchingv of` the skin is obtained.

byfturningup the nut 14a upon the threaded portionV of the rod4 1l',V whichthrough the. toggle links 12. separates the frame memberslO, exe

panding the entire frame and stretching the skin transversely.

By providing substantially sharp cornersupond the outer sides ofi the frame members 10, it will befseen that the skin will be held innormal condition between these corners over. of the frame members, thus. preventing. undue stretching of the side edge portions of vtheskin and leaving the fur at these points in its natural heavy condition so as to withstand the wear to which it is subjected in. use.

In order'to further stretch the legs of the skin transversely, a wedge of any suitable construction maybe driven into the endo the slot 34 in each of the leg blocks 2e, spreading the blocks, while the legs are held by the pins 27 and 27a.

Weclairn': l l. vA fur, stretchingy frame including a pair of parallel frame members each frame member haveach outer side i surface and substantially sharp corner edges, a .rodlocated between the frame members, toggle linksconnecting the rod to the frame members, a channel member receiving one end of each frame member, the` adjacent end of the rod being screw .threaded and located through the channel member, and a nut. upon the threaded end of the rod.

3. A fur: stretching frame including a pair of parallel frame members, a rod located between the frame members, toggle `links connecting the rodito the frame members,` .a platefconta'cting. with one end of each frame. member, thefadjacent end of the rod being screw threaded andlocatedV through vthe'plate, a nutr upon theY threaded endzof 100 the rod, and a head blockcarried bythe opposite end of each frame member.

4. A fur-'stretching frame including apair ci"` parallel frame members, a rodllocated between. the frame members, togglelinks.-connecting the'l rod'tothe frame members, Va channel'member. re` ceiving one end of each frame member, the-"ad'` jacent end of the rod being screw threaded/andi located through v the channel member,l a. nut upon the threaded endk of therod, land.` a head block-111), carried by the opposite endor each frame-mem`v ber.

5. A fur stretching frame including: a pair ofi" parallelrirame members, a rod located` between theframeV members, toggle links connecting the; 11b" rod tothe framernembers, a platecontactingzwithl one end of each frame-member, the adjacent end of the-rod being screw threaded and located', through the plate, a nut upon the threaded'end Yof the rod, and means upon the-framememberslZli for stretching the neck portion of a fur.

6, A iur stretching frame including a pair of parallelv frame members,V a rod located: between the frame members, toggle links connecting thef rod to theirame members, a channel'memberre- 1253 ceiving one end of each frame member, the ad-- jacent end of the-rod being screw threaded and*- located through thefchannel" member, a nut upon the threaded end of'the rod, and means upon the frame'members for stretchingthe'neck-130 portion of a fur. y 1 j 7. A fur stretching frame including av pair of` parallel frame members, av rod locatedbetween the frame members, toggle-links connecting the* rod to the frame members, a plate contacting withV one end of eachframe member, the adjacent endV of the rod being "screw threaded and located through the plate,` a'nut upon the threaded end of the rod, and a pair of'neck stretching blocks slidably Vmounted upon the frame members.

S. A fur stretchingv frame includingI al pair of parallel frameV members, a rod located between the frame members, toggle links connecting the rod to the frame members, a channel membert .y receiving one end of each frame member, the l' adjacent'end of the rod being screw threaded andv located through the channel member, a nut upon the'threadedend ofthe rod, and a pair of neck stretching blocks s'lidablymounted upon theframe members. f

- 9. A fur stretching frame including a pair of parallel frame members, a rod located between the frame members, toggle links connecting the rod to the frame members, a plate contacting with one end of leach frame member, the adjacent end of the rod being screw threaded and located through the plate, a nut upon the threaded end of the rod, a pair of leg stretching blocks slidably mounted upon the frame members, and means for holding said leg stretching blocks in adjusted position.

10. A fur stretching frame including a pair of parallel frame members, a rod located between the frame members, toggle links connecting the rod tov the frame members, a plate contacting with one end of each frame membenthe adjacent end of the rod being screw threaded and located through the plate, a nut upon the theaded end of the rod, a pair of leg stretching blocks slidably mounted upon the frame members, and means for holding said leg stretching blocks in adjusted position, each leg stretching block being longitudinally slotted and adapted to be expanded by a wedge.

11. A fur stretching frame including a pair of parallel frame members, a rod located between the frame members, toggle links connecting the rod to the frame members, a plate contacting with one end of each frame member, the adjacent end of the rod being screw threaded and located through the plate, and a nut upon the threaded end of the rod, each frame member being substantially rectangular in cross section and having sharp outer corners.

12. A fur stretching frame including a pair of parallel frame members, a rod located between the framemembers, toggle links connecting the rod to the frame members, a channel member receiving one end of each frame member, the adjacent end of the rod being screw threaded and located through the channel member, and a nut upon the threaded end of the rod, each frame member being substantially rectangular in cross section and having sharp outer corners.

HENRY J. WEIGAND. rPAUL V. SCHEETZ. 

